Galapagos 5 Day Cruise D | Coral I & II

Take a flight from Quito or Guayaquil to San Cristobal. The flight from Quito to the Galapagos is approximately 2 ½ hours and from Guayaquil approximately 1 ½ hours. Arriving in the Galapagos, passengers are met at the airport by our naturalist guides and driven ten minutes by bus to the pier to board the M/Y Coral I or M/Y Coral II.

This afternoon, we travel to the Interpretation Centre & Frigatebird Hill located on San Cristobal Island for a dry landing. The interpretation center is full of interesting information and offers the perfect overview to the formation of Galapagos, its significance in the world, threats and conservation efforts. Followed by a hike to Frigatebird Hill (Cerro Tijeretas) we will have great views of both species of frigatebird, with the bonus of a beautiful view of the bay below.

This morning, we take off to visit Kicker Rock on San Cristobal Island. This ancient and eroded volcanic tuff lava named Leon Dormido or Kicker Rock is formed by two rocks approximately 148m, with its resemblance to a sleeping lion.

As we head to shore, we are first humbled by the immensity of the stunning cliffs of ëSorcererís Hillí. We can enjoy sharing the beach with sea lions, snorkelling from shore, or taking a walk to a hidden lagoon where we might spot black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, and white-cheeked pintails.

Continue our exploration this afternoon with a visit to Punta Pitt. Sea lions will greet us as we land on the beach and prepare for our climb to a high point on the steep eroded tuff cone. This is the only place in the islands where we will enjoy the chance to see all three of the booby species in the same place. The red-foots will be perched on the Cordia lutea and small trees, the Nazca’s on the ground near the cliff edge while the blue-foots will be a little further inland. Frigatebirds will be all around and the views are simply breathtaking.

This morning we head off for one of the highlight visits of the trip. Punta Suarez seems to have everything – a naturalistís paradise. A slew of marine iguanas and sea lions greet us at the landing site from where our walk continues with close encounters of boobies, endemic lizards, gulls and even a dramatic blowhole. The oldest extant island in the archipelago it is our only opportunity to commune with the endemic waved albatross during their breeding season between April and December. With luck, we can watch their complex courtship display.

This afternoon we head to Gardner Bay located on Espanola Island. One of the most stunning beaches in all of Galapagos. The long, white, sandy beach, lapped by turquoise waters is home to a colony of Galapagos sea lions, indifferent to the humans that walk amongst them. The Hood mockingbirds, endemic to this particular island, will be eager to inspect the visitors and satisfy their innate curiosity. Darwinís finches may also join the throng including the reclusive warbler finch. We can also snorkel here from the beach, in the shallows of the bay.

This morning get ready for a wet landing, on an olivine green, sanded beach. We hike from the black mangrove beds to a brackish lagoon, which usually holds one of the largest flamingo populations in the Galapagos. This island features some endemic plants such as Scalesia villosa, white and black mangrove, and holy stick. The trail continues to a beautiful white sandy beach, one of the most important nesting sites of Green Pacific Sea Turtles. It is important to avoid walking in the water due to the Sting Rays that may be hiding in the sand, which can be dangerous if accidentally stepped on. From the beach, one can spot sea turtles, blue-footed boobies plunging into the water, and small reef sharks floating along the shoreline in search of food.

This coral-sand beach marks the end of our trail, and we head back to the beach we landed on, to swim or snorkel amongst sea turtles, reef fish, sea lions, and, on a good day, white-tipped reef sharks. A small colony of penguins resides on Floreana and can sometimes be observed as well.

Later this afternoon we explore more of Floreana Island, heading to Post Office Bay. Located on the north side of Floreana, the bay was named because in 1793 Captain James Colnett installed a wooden barrel that served as an informal post office for sailors passing through, who would take letters with them back to their destinations. Today, visitors continue the tradition by placing unstamped postcards inside the barrel, hoping that some other traveller, going to the letter destination, will take it back for free.
Keep an eye out for Darwin’s finches, Yellow Warblers and Lava Lizards on our travels, which are possible to see in this area. Great snorkelling opportunities with Green Pacific Sea Turtles also await you. Keen snorkelers can practice on the main beach among playful sea lions.

Enjoy your last exploration here in the Galapagos this morning with a visit to the Highlands Tortoise Reserve. Located in the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island, we have the best opportunity to interact at close quarters with totally wild, Galapagos giant tortoises. A short walk among these huge, 600lb, reptiles will also offer the chance for more highland species, especially several species of the famed finches.

After the visit you will be taken to the airport for your return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.